Advertise on podcast: Beanstalk Global

In today’s challenging agricultural landscape, success isn’t about working harder—it’s about working smarter. This South of England Agricultural Society Technical Forum brings together leading voices and real farm experience to explore how marginal gains can drive meaningful profitability. From input use and labour efficiency to benchmarking, technology, and smarter system changes, this livestreamed session will focus on practical, actionable ways to build leaner, more resilient farm businesses. Hear from: Keith Gue – Dairy farmer managing 700 robotic milking cows in a progressive mixed farming businessNeil Fedden – Lean and efficiency specialist with global experience delivering productivity gains across agriculture and industryBen Williams – Change and sustainability expert driving measurable cost savings and carbon reductions at farm level Co-hosted by Max MacGillivray of Beanstalk Global & Mark Campbell of AHDB. Join us live across multiple social media channels as we break down the small changes that can make a big financial difference.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community. In April’s AHDB Talking Leaders episode as we heard from Jamie Butler of Meon Springs for “Growing More Than Crops & Livestock: Leadership lessons from a diversified farm.” Farming 1,200 acres with 400 dairy cows, alongside ventures including trout fishing, glamping, self-storage and corporate events, Jamie shares honest insights on what effective leadership looks like in a complex, diversified business. Discover how clear values, strong decision-making and a focus on profit, resilience, enjoyment, and sustainability help guide both people and enterprise and what it takes to lead a future-fit farming business.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community. Join us on AHDB’s March episode of Talking Leaders as Amy Hughes shares the real story behind launching Empower Ag and the powerful lessons she’s learned in the first six months of her journey. From embracing change to building a growth mindset and tackling the tough conversations that drive real progress, Amy’s insights will inspire you to wrestle with challenge, lean into growth, and make better choices for your farm, your team and your future. Raised on a beef and sheep farm in North Yorkshire, Amy has spent 18 years working in agricultural extension and education, driven by a passion to help British farmers thrive. Following her own experience of postnatal depression, she developed a deep interest in mindset, behaviour change and human psychology , challenging tradition and championing the power of honest, courageous conversations in farming businesses. An international speaker, writer, and co-host of the Think Outside The Fence podcast, Amy combines lived experience with academic expertise. She holds postgraduate qualifications in agricultural science and sustainable livestock production, is a Mental Health First Aider, and has been shortlisted for several national industry awards.

In the February episode of Talking Leaders, we were delighted to be joined by Hannah Batty, farm animal vet and Clinical Director, and consultant whose Nuffield Scholarship has taken her around the world in search of what makes great dairy teams truly thrive. Hannah wasn’t born into a farming family, but after being welcomed into the industry with open arms, she has become one of its strongest champions. Working primarily with dairy businesses across the North West, she is passionate about developing people, strengthening team culture and refining on-farm processes to improve both cattle health and business performance. Through her Nuffield travels to farms across Canada, Australia, South America and Europe, Hannah has explored how leading businesses manage their teams, communicate clearly, and embed practical systems that consistently deliver high standards of welfare and profitability. Her work focuses on the simple but powerful link between people, processes and performance – and how small, practical changes can unlock big results on farm. With stories ranging from the calving yard to the boardroom, this session is packed with grounded, people-focused insights for anyone interested in building stronger teams and more resilient dairy businesses.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community. In the January episode of Talking Leaders, we were delighted to be joined by Sharon May, a mental health advocate and counsellor – joining us on what is described as Blue Monday. Following a career in physical healthcare, her love of people and their stories led Sharon to shift her focus to emotional healthcare and retrain as a counsellor whilst bringing up our three children. She set up her own practice on the farm 8 years ago, which has now grown into a multi-therapist counselling hub providing face to face mental health support to the rural community in which we live. She loves her job, and particularly enjoy working with small business owners, life stage issues and women’s health. She is passionate about tackling stigma and normalising the conversations around mental health and wellbeing. Her awareness of the mental health challenges within agriculture led to me choosing that as an area of focus whilst completing her Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice, culminating in a research study on the mental health of farm wives.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community. In the December episode of Talking Leaders, we were delighted to be joined by Hattie McFadzean, Senior Consultant at Promar International and recent Nuffield Farming Scholar.  With weather patterns becoming increasingly unpredictable, how can UK dairy farmers build resilience and adapt for the future? Hattie joins us to discuss the findings of her Nuffield study, “Enhancing the Resilience of the UK Dairy Sector: How Do We Practically Adapt to Increasingly Volatile Weather Conditions?” Drawing on insights from her travels and research, Hattie explores how dairy businesses around the world are responding to climate variability and what practical steps UK producers can take to “weather-proof” their own operations. Hear Hattie’s reflections on leadership, innovation, and collaboration across the dairy sector – and how embracing change today can help secure a more sustainable future for tomorrow’s farmers.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community. In the November episode of Talking Leaders, we are delighted to be joined by Adam Bedford, Collaborative Projects Director at Fera Science, to explore how working together can help farming businesses navigate uncertainty and thrive. With a career spanning farm-level experience, leadership roles at the NFU, and now driving collaboration between farmers, scientists and the food industry, Adam will share how building partnerships and pooling ideas can strengthen resilience and unlock opportunities across UK agriculture.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community. In the October episode of Talking Leaders, we were delighted to be joined by Helen Wyman, Founder of TwoCan Mentor – A food and farming mentorship movement built on connection, development, and impact.  As a Nuffield Farming Scholar, Helen’s research focused on how mentorship transforms confidence, leadership, and career paths. With a career spanning food, farming, environment, and energy, she’s seen the impact that the right conversation at the right time can have. Drawing on her experience connecting people across the food, farming and land-based sectors, Helen will share why having the right mentor and being one can make all the difference to both personal & professional success and the resilience of our industry.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community. In the September episode of Talking Leaders, we are delighted to be joined by the new AHDB Chair: Emily Norton. Emily is a Norfolk farmer, Nuffield scholar and founder of Farm Foresight Ltd, a strategic advisory service for the rural sector. She has 25 years of experience in the food and farming sector. After qualifing as a lawyer, Emily undertook an MSc in Sustainable Agriculture. Her career has taken her from family business to global PLC, with time spent in Brussels and across the UK. Emily has particular expertise in natural capital influences on land, food and farming. Emily holds various non-executive board positions in the agricultural sector including chair of AHDB and a trustee at the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association. She is a well known media commentator and lives and farms in Norfolk.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community. In the August episode of Talking Leaders, we sit down with Ingo and Nina Plöger – two of Brazil’s foremost leaders in agribusiness and global development. Ingo is an entrepreneur, engineer, and economist, and serves as President of the Strategic Council for Latin America and Vice President of the Brazilian Agribusiness Association (ABAG).  Nina Plöger Nina is a key influencer in shaping Brazil’s sustainable agricultural sector. She leads women in Agriculture by Forbes Brasil and other institutions. Nina is active in the board of the Brazilian Association of Agribusiness (ABAG) and a leading figure in shaping Brazil’s sustainable agricultural sector. With a background in international relations and public policy, she drives innovation, trade, and environmental responsibility. Nina also contributes to Forbes Brasil, focusing on agribusiness trends, leadership, and the future of food. As President of Forbes Women in Agriculture, she empowers women in agribusiness, promoting gender equality and leadership. She advocates for bio-competitiveness, strengthening Brazil’s global market position through sustainable practices. Nina’s expertise in international relations plays a key role in advancing Brazil’s agricultural interests in global trade and partnerships. She is also Council in the FIESP COSAG the industrial association of Sao Paulo. In the CEAL Nina coordinate actions for the integration of Latin America under the umbrella of “America without frontiers” Ingo Plöger Ingo is a Brazilian entrepreneur, engineer, and economist, and President of the Strategic Council for Latin America advising governments and multinational companies on competitiveness, sustainability, and innovation. As Vice President of ABAG Agribusiness Association he leads initiatives focused on strategic business growth, institutional relations, and sustainable development within various sectors. A recognised international speaker, Ingo brings decades of strategic insight into the future of agrifood systems, global trade, and the geopolitical forces shaping business and policy today. Ingo shares lessons from a lifetime of leadership across continents, offering insights on innovation, resilience, and navigating uncertainty in a fast-changing world, while encouraging imagination and visionary thinking. Nina brings her extensive experience in international relations and agri-food systems, discussing the importance of promoting gender equality, bio-competitiveness, and advancing Brazil’s position in global agribusiness. This episode dives into leadership, vision, and the power of local actions in a globalised world, demonstrating how leaders like Ingo and Nina inspire change and foster long-term growth.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community. In the July episode of Talking Leaders we were joined by Melanie Siggs, Director of Strategic Engagements at the Global Seafood Alliance for a conversation on the synergies between blue food systems, agriculture and forestry, and how they must work together to drive responsible food production. Melanie holds a number of positions allowing her to work globally across policy, private sector, science and academia. Strategic Engagement Director, Global Seafood Alliance, Chair of Fisheries Innovation & Sustainability, a non-Executive Director of CEFAS (UK HMG Marine Science Agency), Ambassador to the Iceland Ocean Cluster and Honorary Professor at Heriot Watt University.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.   In the May episode of Talking Leaders we were joined by Ben Hirst – founder of Horizon Platforms and a leader who has built his success on lifting others up, quite literally. From starting a national equipment rental business in 2008, Ben scaled Horizon into a respected industry player, before pioneering an employee ownership model that puts people at the heart of performance and long-term value. Ben’s leadership has been instrumental in achieving record revenues and operational excellence while maintaining a people-first culture. His ethos of building the business for his grandchildren resonates deeply with many family-owned, farming businesses. Now with a portfolio of Chair and Non-Exec roles, Ben shares what it takes to transition from founder-led to employee-led – covering everything from governance and culture to legacy and motivation. Open, thoughtful, and values-driven, Ben’s story is full of insight for anyone thinking about succession, scale, or how to keep people at the centre of a growing enterprise.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community. In April's episode of Talking Leaders we met Russ McKenzie; a dynamic force in modern farming. Managing a arable business on the Cambridgeshire / Northamptonshire border, Russ is not just a farmer but a trailblazer in agronomy trials and independent consultancy. As a member of the AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Sector Council and a 2014 Nuffield Farming Scholar, Russ's journey is a testament to innovation and resilience. Discover how his passion, influenced by key mentors and personal experiences, drives him to push the boundaries of agricultural excellence. Get inspired by his story of dedication, from overcoming early career doubts to achieving significant milestones in farming.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community. In this episode of Talking Leaders we delved into the inspiring journey of Catherine Marriott OAM, a trailblazer in agriculture, leadership, and sustainability. With over 20 years of experience across executive roles, governance, and consultancy, Catherine has a unique ability to bridge the worlds of practical farming, science and global ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) policy. We explored her insights on the evolving sustainability landscape, the critical role of leadership in agriculture, and her experience with Australian- and global farmers to navigate emerging market and environmental expectations.  Catherine has worked as an executive, a non-executive director and consulting roles in the agricultural, research and regional development sectors in Australia and internationally. During this time, she has become a proven business leader, communicator and organisational renovator, focused mostly on leadership development, advocacy and delivering innovative solutions for the industries in which she works. Catherine is currently completing her Nuffield Scholarship with a focus on the impact and influence of global ESG policy on Australian farmers. Understanding the changing ESG and sustainability landscape globally is paramount to ensuring farmers are prepared for changing market options and both public and private sector expectations. She uses her Rural Science degree to understand the technical aspects of agriculture, while her experience in business, leadership deveopment and governance helps maximise efficiency and outcomes for the organisations for whom she works. Catherine has worked as a beef industry consultant, an entrepreneur, a farmer member based, organisational CEO and has sat on several NFP and public sector boards both in Australia and Internationally. She received a 2022 Queens Birthday Honors, Order of Australia Medal for contribution to agriculture and rural communities, is UNE’s 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program, a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and was the 2012 WA Rural Women of the Year. Hear how Catherine’s bold thinking, global perspective, and passion for empowering others continue to shape the future of agriculture and rural communities worldwide. It's a great listen!

In the February edition of AHDB Talking Leaders, we were delighted to be joined by Colin Crooks MBE. Colin is a serial social entrepreneur with a track record of establishing impactful and sustainable social enterprises. Currently he is launching BirdRun©, a novel competition designed to increase interest in wildlife and raise funding for environmental protection. Previously he ran Tree Shepherd which over 10 years supported hundreds of people from low-income backgrounds to start their own business. Before that he founded and operated 5 innovative recycling businesses. One of these, Green-Works was awarded the Queens Award for Enterprise; Sustainable Development. In 2012 he used his experience of employing more than 1,000 hard to employ people to write ‘How to Make a Million Jobs, a charter for social enterprise’. Colin was awarded an MBE in the 2019 New Year’s Honours list for services to disadvantaged people and the environment.  As a qualified, accredited coach and experienced facilitator/chair of meetings in community and business settings he also runs Intentionality, which works to create and/or support social enterprises to grow and increase their impact.